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Sixth Form Bulletin

6th November 2023

Year 12 Bulletin 

Morning all,

Welcome back all; I hope you had a good half-term and managed to relax. We’re back to it now though and you’ll need to focus on maintaining a positive work ethic as the term goes on. 

 

Weekly 

 

Shoutout to the following pupils who received a Praise Postcard just before half-term:


 

  • Adam D (DE)
  • Huw J-W (DE)

 

Key dates and deadlines


 

  • Geography  18th December Human fieldwork – All stages deadline
  • Geography  18th December Physical fieldwork – All stages
  • The Maths Department runs A Level support every Wednesday for A Level Maths and GCSE re-sit support every single Monday. 
  • Chemistry has both year 12 and 13 chemistry support sessions after school every Monday.

 

A few general announcements:

 

Education Wales have launched Shore - a new website for young people concerned about sexual thoughts or behaviour.  You can get confidential and anonymous support from their advisors through Shore’s chat and email service


 

  • The Independent Study activities document has been updated by staff so you can build in some super-curricular activities or get ahead with understanding key topics. Remember that you can use any additional reading or research on your personal statement for university to highlight how you have prepared for undergraduate level study. 
  • Every couple of years, the World Economic Forum publishes their Future of Jobs report, which looks at the impact of these world-wide issues on jobs and the skills needed. The latest version came out in May this year and is based on a large-scale, world-wide survey of employers. Check out the main points here.  It is an absolute gold-mine of information, data and insight into the future of careers, and as you make important decisions about your future studies and career, you are going to want to know about it. 

Opportunities/Events

The applications for the  Pathway to Bath programme are open now! This award-winning blended curriculum enrichment programme for Year 12 students from Widening participation backgrounds offers students: 

  • The opportunity to complete a project in a subject of their choice alongside academic tutors and undergraduate e-mentors 
  • The opportunity to apply to a free 3 day residential at the University of Bath
  •  The chance to receive a guaranteed offer to the University of Bath 

You can apply via the website now and the deadline is 31st January 2024

 Please note that eligibility criteria apply which includes Free School Meals and Index of Multiple deprivation – the Polar postcode profile is not included in the criteria. For more information please click here.

If you don’t meet their widening participation criteria, please look at Ask Bath, which enables students to connect with current university undergraduates who are trained E-Mentors and exchange 1:1 chat message via the partner Brightside’s secure platform.  The service is available at any time, simply by downloading the Brightside App onto your laptop, tablet or phone.  

Please follow this link to a short video:  Ask Bath (vimeo.com)

A number of St Cyres students have used this pathway over the years as a way to guarantee an offer - it’s definitely worth doing.

Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; November’s lectures include: Pilgrimages, Pandemics and the Past by Tom Holland, tomorrow Tue, 07 Nov 2023 Watch Online 

Were There Pagan Goddesses in Christian Europe? by Professor Ronald Hutton, this  Wed, 08 Nov 2023 Watch Online

Poetry of Prediction: Musical Time, Rhythm and Groove by Prof Milton Mermikides, this Thu, 09 Nov 2023 Watch Online

Portfolio Theory and the Capital Asset Pricing Model, by Professor Raghavendra Rau, next Mon, 13 Nov 2023 Watch Online

Reading and Misreading the Iranian Revolution by Dr Roham Alvandi, next Tue, 14 Nov 2023  Watch Online

Random Chance in Evolution by Professor Robin May, next Wed, 15 Nov 2023 Watch Online

For anyone considering taking on a Christmas job, Careers Wales have collated some opportunities: Christmas seasonal jobs | Careers Wales (gov.wales). 

There’s a fantastic opportunity with the organisation tutor2u who are offering a new Free Online Course for all Sixth Form students. The course includes a mix of videos, engaging activities and resource downloads and covers:

  • An overview of the options for students beyond their time in sixth form
  • Finding out more – suggested research links
  • Advice on how to make strong applications to higher education institutions
  • How to complete an effective personal statement
  • Specialist higher education applications (including Oxbridge, medicine etc)
  • All about apprenticeships
  • Gap years
  • Student finances – a practical guide

Use the link here to register: Studentshttps://ondemand.tutor2u.net/students/beyond-sixth-form-skills-booster

To begin the preparation for university, you could have a look at when university Open Days are happening this half-term. Use the link here to check: https://www.opendays.com/calendar/ 

Speakers for Schools has a range of work experience opportunities, just be aware some are aimed at students in England - especially the Healthcare ones which relate to NHS England. Use the link here to see whether there’s anything relevant to you. 

Universities

General advice

Discover Uni is a government-funded facility which has data on nearly every university and their courses. You can find the entry data of students who joined a degree course and the percentage of those students who entered with particular grades - if you have the same grades then your chances are higher than if you have lower grades.try the website here: Discover Uni

Many universities have got upcoming Open Days so make sure you have a look at the places you think you may want to study at. I’ve just put the links for our most popular destinations’ Open Days below as well as the Open Days calendar. 

To make sure you understand the grades you might need for courses you’re interested in and confirm entry requirements please use the following website: https://www.whatuni.com/ Ask your LC to look at courses with you if you’re not sure whether you might need specific subjects/grades for a course you are considering.

Newcastle University is working with the Sutton Trust on the Pathways to Medicine and Pathways to Law, two-year programmes offered in partnership with the Sutton Trust. You would complete a work experience placement and summer school and get academic and sector-specific support. You could also receive a conditional offer that's typically up to three grades lower than normal entry requirements.  Use the link here to apply

They also have The PARTNERS Academic Summer School (PASS), designed to give you an early introduction to various aspects of Higher Education study and help you to prepare for life at Newcastle University. PASS is taught by undergraduate lecturers in the same subject field that you apply to as your firm choice course. During the event, you will meet some of your undergraduate lecturers, use Newcastle University facilities to complete academic tasks and get to know other students on your course.

Upon completion of PASS, we hope this will mean that you feel more confident in your ability to be successful at Newcastle University and that you'll be more than ready to begin studying at Higher Education level once the first semester begins in the autumn. Find out more here. 

The Social Mobility Foundation spoke to you last week in assembly; applications for the Social Mobility Foundation’s free Aspiring Professionals Programme are now open for 2024. Please be aware there are eligibility criteria in terms of pupils’ demographic and academic (grade) profile. Check whether you meet the eligibility criteria details here

Aspiring Professionals Programme (APP)

The APP supports high achieving Year 12 students from low income backgrounds across the UK to access top universities and careers. We offer support through our four pillars:

  1. Mentoring by a professional
  2. Tailored skills sessions and career workshops
  3. University application support and guidance
  4. Internships with top employers

How students receive our four pillars of support is dependent on where they live. Please see below for further details of the programmes they offer.

You must apply by 12 noon, Friday 15th December 2023 by completing the application form here.

Application form and resources

Click the links below to access information and resources.

Application Form

Watch their video to hear from SMF students

Swansea University

Their next Open Day is this Saturday 11th November it’s a great opportunity for you to explore their campuses, meet their teaching staff and get a real insight into what it’s like to be a student at Swansea University. Their  flexible Open Day Programme gives you plenty of chance to view the teaching facilities, accommodation options, sporting facilities and range of student support services. You can also get help and advice on student finance and financial support.

They also have a Pre Open Day Q&A webinar November 8 – book your place here. This will involve the opportunity to hear about student life at Swansea University. The session will feature student ambassadors with a range of different university experiences, who will be able to answer your questions on everything from sports and societies to their beach-side location.

Cardiff University

Their lecture series is beginning; A game-changer for social research; if Maths could talk 

You might also want to check out the advice given on the ‘Better uni choices’ site which has some helpful tips on how to get the best out of attending Open Days. 

Aspire is a collection of free careers, university and further education resources. It is designed to give state-educated students the tools and knowledge they need to make more informed decisions about their future. Their ‘guide’ is a free resource, full of information and guidance, designed to inform you and help you navigate the range of careers and further education out there. Access the online version of the Guide, alongside other resources, on the Aspire website

Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships

 

Please sign up for Uptree here and then check out all the opportunities they have: https://schools.uptree.co/opportunities/  and also the different events they have on offer https://schools.uptree.co/events/ 

New events coming up:

Thu 23rd Nov 10:00AM - 1:00PM

Virtual event

Students aged 16-21

Tue 5th Dec 10:00AM - 12:30PM

Virtual event

Students aged 16-21

Tue 12th Dec 10:00AM - 12:00PM

Virtual event

Year 12 students

Army Apprenticeships Opportunities: Check them out  now.

For anyone interested in apprenticeships with the British Army, they have a lot of information about upcoming opportunities or general advice on their website. Have a look, using the link  here

Network 75 is a combined work placement and part-time study route to a degree allowing students to Work, Earn and Learn. Network75 Trainees are able to apply their academic knowledge to real-life work within their host company gaining the necessary skills, experience and qualifications that are highly sought after by industry. 

PwC has more information for potential accountants, business management or technology students interested in degree apprenticeships with them. Use the link  here to find out more

Support

For those of you feeling anxious or struggling with the adjustment to 6th Form, as always, we are always available to help. If you feel you need more support here are some useful links:

There are also some useful techniques here for those experiencing feelings of anxiety:

 Remember it  is important that you keep an eye on your emails and our Twitter feed (@stcyres6th). I send out links and tweets regularly so there is a lot of information available, you just need to access it and let me know if there are any problems with you doing that. 

As always, if there are any issues get in touch; we’re here to support you.

Take care,

Ms Jones 

 

 

St Cyres School, Sully Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 2XP

02920 708708